But some of the talk show host's fans aren't happy she's become politically outspoken, and many are sounding off on Oprah's Web site.

"Oprah," says one, "count me as tuned out for now." Another writes, "It's a real turn off for a lot of your fans." And yet another says "She has crossed a line and lost my trust completely."

But, what's especially interesting about reading Oprah's Web site is why some of those fans seem to be upset: the way she stumped for Obama, they say, seemed to pit white against black.

"I've been inspired to believe that a new vision is possible for America,"
Oprah said while on the stump with Obama in South Carolina. "Dr. King dreamed the dream, we get to vote that dream into reality."

Back on Oprah's Web site, one commenter wrote, "Winfrey has artfully begun her stump speeches alongside Obama with a negative racial tone."

And another commenter wrote, "Don't pit blacks against whites."

Interviewed on ABC's Good Morning America Wednesday, Winfrey rejected the notion she is supporting Obama merely because he is black.

"I get a little..I guess the word is 'offended,'" Winfrey said. "To think that I would be supporting someone just because of their skin would mean we haven't moved far from Dr. King's speech in 1963, where he said we should be judged by the content of our character not the color of their skin."

In another interview, Winfrey told CNN that she weighed carefully whether she should get involved in politics, wondering whether she would "lose viewers as a result."

"I made the decision that I have the right to do it as an American citizen," she said.

soundoff(758 Responses)

Lorie

Did anyone else notice how Oprah literally took the center stage at one of the rallies, while Obama walked like a second-class citizen alongside on the ground? I sure noticed! It looks like the only one keeping the black man down in his place is Oprah! Exactly who is the Presidential candidate again? Look at these messages for an example. More people are now so busy venting their mistrust of Oprah or endorsing their belief in HER rights, than are looking at that man as an actual candidate. The guy comes off looking like a weakling who has to depend on women to do his bidding, and the race separation has become even more prevalent. Jeez, did Oprah want to endorse him, or single-handedly ruin his career? I don't know enough about the guy to make a decision about him, but I can't help that I now feel as though he looks like a sad, little puppet. Who wants to vote another "puppet-man" into office? It has skewed my views about him terribly, I'm sorry but that's just the truth. I can't help it, I get this vision of him trying to run the Whitehouse, and Oprah slapping his hands saying: "I told you not to vote this way-the only reason you got this far is because of me...now go to your corner you've been bought and paid for". Yeah, it comes off looking like real progress Oprah! It looks more pitiful and sad than anything, and I'm actually feeling sorry for and more protective of Obama. Yet, I certainly can't see him strong enough to run a country on his own now.

January 7, 2008 01:31 pm at 1:31 pm |

renee

Oprahs true COLORS came out with her ghetto body language

January 11, 2008 08:15 pm at 8:15 pm |

renee

SAY NOOOOOOOO TO OBAMA.... AND CHANGE CHANNEL ON OPRAH.... YOU GO HILLARY KICK SOME BUTT

January 11, 2008 08:23 pm at 8:23 pm |

renee

hEY sHANE I DONT HAVE TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR MY MESSAGE IS CLEAR I JUST DONT WANT HIM IN OFFICE PERIOD..... NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.... THEY ALREADY ACT LIKE WE OWE THEM EVRYTHING GEEESH THINK HOW IT WOULD BE THEN... OH AND FOR SO MANY WHITES BEING AT THE RALLY HMMMMM HE DIDNT WIN OVER HILLLARY.....MAYBE THEY THOUGHT OPRAH WOULD GIVE THEM ALL GIFTS TOO LOL

January 11, 2008 08:32 pm at 8:32 pm |

Joe l

I think this whole presidential field is a farce and a slap in the face. We have no good candidates. The day I vote for anyone with a muslim sounding name will be the coldest day in hell, it might sound racist but I am entitled to my opinion also. Hilary is a joke also getting her husband to campaign for her, I wonder how many young women he is sleeping with, No more Clintons please. The last good Democrat was JFK and that is sad, Jfk had mostly what is considered Republican views today, LOOK it up it is in the history books. I have grown up in one of the greatest countries in the world and served it in the military for a term, this country really does need some help, but the Democrat candidates are not going to fix it, especially the ones leading in votes. The worst republican candidate is better than the Democrats candidates, sorry but it is true and any real American can see that. Do not get caught up in Oh hes black, if you are black, and do not vote for a woman, just because you are a woman. Vote for whom you feel will not condemn us all please, I know it is tough.
One last thought, Where do these celebrities get off on throwing their views around, we like them for entertainment not their views. Very dissappointed with Ophra, she always seemed like a class act until she just turned all racist on us.

January 12, 2008 10:00 am at 10:00 am |

Joe l

Why is it the candidate with the most money behind them is considered the top candidates? Lets see, maybe because they are backed by people that need them there to screw us middle class americans, we all know this and we still back these idiots. When is the great person we are seeking going to run for president? It is not going to happen in todays society. Do you think our forefathers that started this country really pictured this country as it is today? No I seriously doubt it and I am sure most agree. We need change yes, but not what most of these candidates are talking about.
Why is the media more powerful than our own government? The media can cause wars and influence the unintelligent part of our country. So I guess we are all screwed.

January 12, 2008 10:13 am at 10:13 am |

Penny

I am very disappointed in Oprah. This is too sensitive of an issue for her to use her celebrity ability to get people to take her side. She sure showed her true self to her fans. Eventually all celebrities go on their head trip.

January 22, 2008 05:21 pm at 5:21 pm |

Laura Garcia

I think it is wonderful that Oprah is supporting Obama. It is a free country she should be allowed to say who she is supporting regardless of race. I do not believe that she has doen anything wrong to her fans. It is a disgrace for people nowadays in society to still try to justify everything with race.